Coach Hai Phong: 'Meeting Incheon is an opportunity to raise the level'

* Incheon - Hai Phong: 17:30 today 22/8.

In the first play-off round of the day, Hai Phong won 4-1 at Hong Kong Rangers. Thanks to that, they went on to play Incheon United - the fourth-placed team of the Korean K-League 1 season 2022 - today on the opponent's field.

"This is an opportunity for us to learn from a stronger team," coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said at a press conference before the match on the afternoon of August 21. "Meeting Incheon Unitd is also an opportunity for Hai Phong to raise its level."

Nghiem highly appreciated Incheon's two foreign soldiers, Brazilian striker Hernandes Rodrigues and Guinea-Bissau striker Gerso Fernandes. Against a stronger opponent, it will be difficult for Hai Phong to impose the same style of play as when defeating Rangers. But the 51-year-old coach still wants the team to try to pressurize and play in its own way. Depending on the situation on the field, Mr. Nghiem will adjust, possibly having to step back to defend the majority.

In the Hai Phong squad, midfielder Luong Xuan Truong played for Incheon United in the 2016 season. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said he had consulted Xuan Truong about the opponent's tactics and system, but only for reference. , because a lot has changed in seven years.

Regarding the possibility of penalty kicks after 120 minutes, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said that Hai Phong must fight beyond normal to do it. If they win, Hai Phong will participate in the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 with Hanoi FC. Otherwise, the team will go down to play the AFC Cup.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem once led Hanoi FC to play AFC Champions League 2019 play-off against China's Shandong Luneng. The capital team controlled the game, scored the opening goal, but the mistake of the last 10 minutes made the team lose 1-4.